Women’s T20 World Cup: Danny Watt-Hodge for ‘Mummy’ century

Wyatt-Hedge has always been one of England’s most interesting cricketers. He jokes and laughs, but this should never be confused with anything other than fierce determination.

As a cricketer, he is as resilient as they come.

Wyatt-Hedge made his debut in the same Mumbai ODI as Heather Knight and the pair are now England’s longest-serving members of the set-up.

From winning the World Cup at Lord’s in 2017 to losing in the Ashes last year. Together they witnessed it all.

But while Knight was front and center as captain nine years ago, Watt-Hodge was a bit-part player. He played five matches before returning from other injuries.

Now, at 35, there is still time for this career-defining chapter.

While Watt-Hodge took his parental leave, the tournament began to be debated over who would be England’s opener come big time.

Sophia Dunkley’s form faded and Amy Jones was promoted. One certainty, despite his absence, has always been England’s lanky right-hander.

Bleary-eyed from a sleepless night, he scored 29 on his comeback against India in Bristol last month. Chasing three single-digit scores, England again failed to budge.

“Some guys need a little bit of pressure and a little bit of ‘something’ in a game,” said Kathryn Syver-Brant, another former teammate watching from the commentary box.

“It’s exactly the kind of environment he needs.

“As a cricketer you can improve or you can go into yourself, and he thrives in those situations.”

It was also fitting that when Watt-Hodge reached three figures, captain Nat Syver-Brant was at the other end.

Like Wyatt-Hedge, she is a cricketer and a mother. Like Wyatt-Hedge, he swung his bat to celebrate reaching three figures in last year’s 50-over World Cup.

Coincidentally both tons were the same opposition.

“It was really nice to have him in the middle to celebrate that one-hundred-two mummy,” Wyatt-Hodge said.

“I was a bit nervous at the end when the crowd was cheering me on. Nat said just take a breath and take your time. I was really determined.”

Wyatt-Hodge received a standing ovation from the crowd and met Dunkley for the first time on the touchline as he left the field.

This squad has cohesion building and Wyatt-Hodge is one of the most popular members.

“It was pretty emotional. A couple of the girls said they had some tears,” she said of the moments back in the dressing room.

The term ‘Daddy Hundred’ was coined by Graham Gooch. It was one of the mummy variety.

After all, few are more deserving of this moment in the sun than Wyatt-Hedge.